Here we are. Month 9. Mukono, Uganda. Yes that’s right month 9. We have been here for less than a week and already it has been an awesome, busy, challenging, and rewarding few days. We just came away from our debrief in Nairobi where we came together as a squad and began talking about re-entry and life after the race. It is a scary thing to think about sometimes and then again it excites me as well. The Lord has put some different things on my heart when it comes to opportunities after I arrive home. But I will let you know about those as the time draws nearer. Right now I want to let you know what has been on my heart the last few days.
While in Nairobi, Scotty gave us the info on our flight back home. Let’s just say I have been anticipating this moment for probably the last 5 months. I wanted nothing more than to fly into the Northeast and meet my parents and friends at the airport. Well my wish came true, and I will be flying into NYC………
JFK
August 31st
As excited as I am and as much as I have been anticipating this exact flight, the enemy has been using it against me. My mind has been wandering a lot about what that first week and month will look like when I am back home. My own room, a real bed, a western toilet in a bathroom with tile. My car I can drive, control over what I eat, the ability to walk to the beach, petting my cat, and being cold so that I actually desire to wear a sweatshirt. Waking up to my Mom giving me a kiss, going to bed listening to the sounds of the ocean waves, and having access to call and talk to my friends any time I want. Sometimes when I think about all that I feel selfish. I think I should be grateful for the life I have been given. That I gave all that stuff up and that I should not be wasting my time thinking about it………but then my mind wanders again.
I have been on this race for over nine months. I am physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally tired. Yet I am here in Uganda in what I think may be one of the most challenging months for me so far on this race. Coming on this race I was told that Africa would be all about preaching and door-to-door ministry. Well quite frankly that scared me. I am NOT a preacher. I have no training in that area and I never believed I had anything to say. Well for 8 months I got by without having to “preach” save the occasion testimony. Well this past week was the first time I got up and actually “preached”. I do not like to call it preaching because I am not a preacher. Instead lets say I “shared”. Well basically the bottom-line is that will not be the only time I do that this month. Everywhere we go we have to be continually seeking out and listening to what the Lord is saying because you might be the next one called up to the pulpit to “share a word” with the audience.
One verse the Lord has really used in my life this year has been
2Timothy 1:7
God did not give you a spirit of timidity but a spirit or power,
love and self-discipline.
It has encouraged me to believe that I do have something to say. That the Lord has already put in me power, and words that the world needs to hear. This is something I really began to learn in Thailand but this month I am really going to have to put it into action.
I am truly grateful for this opportunity and for a voice to share and spread God’s love to the nation. This whole year has been humbling in many ways. As these 11 months come to a close I want nothing more than to give everything I have, to give all of me. But at the same time I feel torn, torn between this world and the world I will return to in September.
So this month I ask more than ever for prayer from you.
That the Lord would give me the words and the confidence to get up and share what He has already placed on my heart.
That I would stay present in the moment and that home wouldn’t be so heavy on my mind.
Until Next Time
Love You Guys
Love Annalisa
Our house this month
Michael……our boss man
Playing with the kids
chips…aka french fries….a staple here in Uganda
